This year marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence, as brought to life in the recently acclaimed Burns/Botstein/Schmidt television mini-series on PBS. Beginning with an orientation on the causes and scope of this eventual seven-year war, our seminar will focus on its first two years (1775-77) which largely took place in New England. Key military events include Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the British takeover of New York City and Philadelphia, and the Battle of Saratoga, N.Y. Key political events include King George’s Proclamation for Suppressing Colonial Rebellion and the Second Continental Congress with its issuance of the Declaration of Independence. We will further consider the role of African and Native Americans, loyalists, spies, and women with special focus on New Englanders. We’ll conclude by discussing how historical memory of the American Revolution has changed over time and what it means for us today.
Suggested books include: Allison, Robert, The American Revolution: A Concise History, Oxford University Press, 2011; Atkinson, Rick, The British Are Coming, Henry Holt & Co., 2019; and Ward, Geoffrey and Burns, Ken, The American Revolution: An Intimate History, Knopf, 2015, (the book that accompanies the Burns/Botstein/Schmidt miniseries). An additional bibliography will be supplied to participants by the moderators.
Morning seminars run from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.
